Marcus Outzen, a former quarterback for Florida State who started against Tennessee in the 1999 BCS national championship game, sadly passed away on Tuesday in Tampa, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Marcus Outzen, who went by the moniker “The Rooster” due to his fiery personality and red hair, passed away due to problems arising from an uncommon immune deficiency illness.
He was just 46 years old.
As per the Immune Deficiency Foundation, the former quarterback for Florida State was recently diagnosed with a severe form of systemic inflammation called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or HLH. According to Johns Hopkins, the disease stops the immune system from functioning properly.
“Rest In Peace @MarcusOutzen. I love you so much, Dad,” Colton wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Outzen played under legendary coach Bobby Bowden from 1996-2000. He would become the Florida State Seminoles’ starting quarterback after an injury to starter Chris Weinke late during the 1998 season.
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Marcus Outzen Got His Time To Shine As Florida State’s Starting QB Before Chris Weinke Took His Job Back
Outzen was thrust into the starting role for the final three games of the 1998 season after Weinke suffered a neck injury.
With his leadership, Florida State defeated Wake Forest and Florida to secure a spot in the inaugural BCS National Championship Game. The first Bowl Championship Series (BCS) championship game was played in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl. In the end, FSU was defeated by the Tennessee Volunteers.
Peerless Price, a wide receiver for Tennessee, had four receptions for 199 yards in the victory. With 3:42 remaining, Outzen scored Florida State’s second touchdown of the day, and a Tennessee fumble gave the Seminoles an opportunity to tie the score. But he would throw an interception, and Tennessee managed to hold on for the victory, per Wikipedia.com.
After Weinke recovered, Outzen remained the team’s backup quarterback in 1999, starting 11 games and assisting the Florida State Seminoles in their national title victory over Virginia Tech and Michael Vick in the Sugar Bowl.
In 2000, Outzen supported Weinke once more as he went on to win the Heisman Trophy, and Florida State advanced to the BCS championship game for the third time in a row. With a score of 13-2, the game against Oklahoma is still the lowest-scoring championship game in the history of the BCS and College Football Playoffs.
Having completed 72 of 121 passes for 1,074 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions, Outzen concluded his career at Florida State. Additionally, he gained 142 yards and three touchdowns on 84 rushes, via Sportsreference.com.
